216 - Cinderella’s Dream: Together Forever

Chapter 216 When Chen Wan woke up, she found herself in a clean room. She lifted herself up, intending to open the door, but noticed someone guarding it. Furrowing her brows, she asked, "Where are we? Didn't we clear the level? Why haven't we been released?" The guard glanced at Chen Wan and replied, "This is a room prepared for you by the leader. She wants you to freshen up and regroup. Later, we'll take you to meet the leader. Your friends are also resting in their rooms." Chen Wan frowned and glanced at the two guards before entering the bathroom. There was water in the bathroom, and through the mirror, she saw herself covered in the blood of the mutated lion, making her appearance especially frightening. She took the change of clothes prepared by them and closed the bathroom door to take a bath. The first time Chen Wan showered, the water on the floor was bloody. She washed herself five times before the strange metallic scent disappeared and her complexion returned to its normal color. After blow-drying her hair and changing into the new clothes provided by the guards, Chen Wan felt revived. Soon, she heard a knock on the door. "Are you ready? The leader wants us to take you and your companions over to meet her." "Ready." Chen Wan opened the door in response, eager to see how Qin Ke and the others were doing. Once Chen Wan stepped out, she saw a door not far down the corridor open. Qin Ke emerged from inside, and Chen Wan quickly called out, "Qin Ke, over here." "Are you alright? You aren't hurt, are you?" Qin Ke asked hurriedly, unable to move closer due to the guards by her side. "Rested a bit, I'm fine now." The guards escorted Chen Wan forward, where they then converged with Qin Ke and the newly emerged Wei Si Yu. Chen Wan inquired with some uncertainty, "Xiao Yu? She was fine at the time, wasn’t she?" "I’m not sure, we were put in separate rooms after that. She's probably not with us." Wei Si Yu surveyed their surroundings before answering. Quickly, they were led to the sixth floor of a bar, where the leader resided. Chen Wan and the others found themselves in a luxurious presidential suite. The guards asked them to wait, saying the leader would join them shortly. After about ten minutes, as the group was resting on the sofa, Xiao Yu was escorted into the suite by several guards. Unlike Chen Wan and the others, Xiao Yu was wearing a white dress that perfectly highlighted her graceful figure. Chen Wan was somewhat incredulous but had already guessed a few things in her heart. Still puzzled, Wei Si Yu asked, "Why the dress change? Did they force you into it?" Xiao Yu smiled brightly at Wei Si Yu, "You're so sweet. I changed for you all, who else would dare force me?" "For us?" Wei Si Yu was utterly confused by Xiao Yu’s logic. "Of course for you," Xiao Yu's eyes sparkled. "I selected all of you as alphas after all. I’m very pleased with my choice." Wei Si Yu’s eyes widened as she pointed at Xiao Yu, "You, you're the leader?" Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Finally you guessed it, my dear." Wei Si Yu was at a loss, struggling to accept that their comrade through thick and thin was the mastermind behind everything. Chen Wan coldly looked at Xiao Yu and asked, "Then why did you go through all the trouble to join us in the challenge? You could have just watched." Sitting opposite them, Xiao Yu chuckled, "A game is fun only when you participate. Plus, it allowed me to get to know you better. Now that we’re acquainted, we can speak more freely, and I have a good understanding of each of you." Xiao Yu surveyed the trio with satisfaction, "Chen Wan is straightforward, preferring action; Qin Ke is also cool but cares for teammates, making her reliable; and Wei Si Yu is warmer than you two, with a kind heart. You all suit me quite well." "Don't even think about it, we're not joining you," Chen Wan said with a hint of panic, moving to the door only to find several guns trained on her. She had to shut the door and sit back down. Watching Chen Wan's response, Xiao Yu smiled, "Don't get too worked up. I’d hate for you to get hurt accidentally. After all, you three are my handpicked selections." Chen Wan gritted her teeth, glaring at Xiao Yu, who merely smiled back, "Considering your stamina, especially yours, Chen Wan, and even though Wei Si Yu is a bit gentler, that's an advantage too. My bedroom has a large bed, we could have some fun together." "You've got quite the imagination, but have you thought about those you’ve harmed? Those lives you toyed with, doesn’t your conscience bother you?" Chen Wan fired back coldly. "Why should it? Their deaths are on them for being weak. Look at you three, you’re fine. I gave them a chance they failed to seize—that's on them, not me," Xiao Yu retorted without remorse. "You're insane," Chen Wan shook her head. "I might be, but don't forget I saved you in that mirror maze. I didn’t know the map either, and yet I navigated you out. You should be thankful," Xiao Yu's eyes twinkled as she sipped her wine. "We're grateful to the comrade who fought beside us, not you, the leader of Canglong Bar, the true mastermind," Chen Wan replied icily. With the outside growing tense, Chen Wan called quietly to Yi Yi mentally, urging for action before it was too late. Feigning distraction, Chen Wan noticed Xiao Yu’s focus shift towards Qin Ke and Wei Si Yu. “Yi Yi, how’s it on your end? Are the people from District One ready? When will you make your move?” “Commander Cao is already here, and we're all set to act. What’s your status?” “Holding on, but act fast, or we won't last.” Chen Wan finally glanced back at Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu was teasing Wei Si Yu, "Do you have a girlfriend? Haven't experienced being with one yet? Don’t worry, I'll show you all about it." “I have a girlfriend; don’t think of touching me,” Wei Si Yu retorted. "Great, experience is a plus. I enjoy that," Xiao Yu's demeanor had switched from serious to casually flirtatious as if she controlled Chen Wan and the others. Finishing her wine, Xiao Yu stood up with a smile, heading towards the bedroom, "Let’s check where we’ll sleep tonight. It’s past midnight, after all. Maybe we should sleep early." Opening the bedroom door, Chen Wan saw that the bed was double the usual size, surprised at the situation Xiao Yu proposed. "We're not tired yet," Chen Wan declined awkwardly. "Then let’s drink—the mood’s better with it, and you might not feel too shy after," Xiao Yu said, pouring the women drinks. Chen Wan’s palm grew sweaty, feeling the pressure of the situation. Just then, gunshots pierced the tense air, and as Chen Wan seized the moment to restrain Xiao Yu, she ordered, “Don’t move, you know my strength. Tell your guards to back off.” The guards, entering upon hearing Xiao Yu’s voice, paused upon seeing her captured. “Step back, or I’ll act,” Chen Wan commanded, holding a silver fork to Xiao Yu’s throat, forcing the guards to retreat. Xiao Yu chuckled softly, "You actually have reinforcements outside? Still, I suggest you give up soon. The guards at Canglong Bar are all armed to the teeth. If your allies don't want to meet a dead end, they better scram." "Is that so? No one can predict how this will end. Why don’t you just wait here with us," Chen Wan replied, maintaining her firm grip on Xiao Yu, ensuring no escape. Xiao Yu had confidently entered the room because this was her territory, surrounded by her loyal guards. She had no concerns about her safety but hadn’t considered Chen Wan's backup plan. Outside, the operation proceeded smoothly. Jiang Yan Xin had released Athena. Due to the devices inside Canglong Bar that blocked powers, Athena had to launch her attacks from outside, turning any escaping guards into statues. Cao Wei and Shang Nuan, leading the soldiers, stormed into the building. Jiang Yan Xin and the others, not fully reassured, joined them to enter the bar. The military quickly took control of Canglong Bar, with resisting guards being swiftly neutralized while those surrendering crouched with their hands over their heads. As Cao Wei’s group meticulously searched each floor, they reached the sixth floor, where the soldiers subdued all the guards. Jiang Yan Xin peered through the main entrance and saw Chen Wan holding a woman in a dress hostage inside the presidential suite!